Thursday, March 27, 2014

a threshold to Fridays
with no boundaries,
no commitment -
where impulse rules
and kick-ass weekends
begin early.

It's a handing over
of the controls,
despite our irrational tears,
collective sighs.

Deflected with
"I'll still be around"
yet a favorite haunt
won't be the same.

by Margaret Bednar, March 27, 2014

Mr. Know-it-All, the G-Man, also known as Galen Hayes - a first class gentleman and friend to all who visit his blog is passing the torch after seven years of the beloved "Friday Flash 55". He has passed the torch to Mama Zen & Fireblossom and the new day will be Tuesdays, starting on April 8th over at Fireblossom's blog "Shay's Word Garden".

If I can think of one person who has helped me become a better, more concise poet, it is Galen. I often lack confidence in artistic endeavors, and he makes me feel like I have succeeded in creating something worthy of reading. He made Thursday evenings and Fridays a time I looked forward to and rarely missed since I began in the fun on January 13, 2011. Over the years, I have written 109 FF55's and in honor of my high regard for you, Galen, at the top of my sidebar I have a permanent link to them all. I will also be creating an iPhoto (Mac) book for myself as they mean a lot to me.

My very first one was "All's Fair in Love & War" - I remember how I struggled with this story - sure I'd never be able to write a 55 again. But with his lovely encouragement… "In your very first attempt you have perfectly captured the essence of the Flash 55… " I decided to try again (and again…) Well, I'm not sure I ever wrote a story 55 again, but I usually did write 55 words of poetry. (sorry, Galen, I know how you LOVE your stories).

I hope I see everyone that has hung out here "over there" on Tuesdays as I truly enjoy all your creative voices. Galen, I'm talking to YOU to! It truly would not be the same without you - it would rip all our hearts out if you ride off into the sunset and leave us behind!

I've also misused the Imaginary Garden of Real Toad's - Mind & Symbol challenge hosted by Hedgewitch and bent the rules a bit. It was a word list to be used for dealing with 'dreams, the mind, symbols or the unconscious." Perhaps it fits as I am a bit emotionally sad right now.

** If requested I will remove this image. I did not get authorization, but I thought the image perfect for Galen. The website itself is really cool to peruse - Mr. Beadle travels on his motor cycle and photographs amazing places. He has a blog, twitter, and portfolio … and lots of links to his travels.

Are the walls of the historic fortress, Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida, haunted? Some say yes! This fort has protected soldiers, housed families - over 1,000 town folk, and kept many prisoners within it's walls - many stories held here.

Coquina is the impenetrable and shock absorbing mixture of ancient small shellfish that died long ago and whose shells have bonded together to form a stone. The mortar was comprised of crushed oyster shells (which made a powder called lime) and was mixed with sand and water. This mortar still holds the Castillo together today. It took 23 years to construct, being completed in 1695.

When I was a young girl and teenager I adored the old movies and loved to read - often outside beneath the clouds with my beloved cat. Over two years ago I wrote a poem "A Summer's Breeze". I was quite shy and well, I had low self-esteem for one reason or another. I remember often holding my breath - if I was scared, embarrassed, shy… I truly have buried my insecurities, but at times "she" does reappear - funny how we resurrect our past at times…

Camping was the only way my parents travelled - I remember staying at a motel (not hotel) once when it down-poured - otherwise we camped. The smell of the moldy canvas tent, the hard ground (no softened pads for us), the early morning rising so we could continue on the car journey that never ended (they traveled as far as they could go in one week). I remember wishing we could stay and play, swim, etc., but that was never allowed.

Perhaps it's the martini,
but I feel lighter. I stir your reflection,
take another sip, and sigh.

by Margaret Bednar, March 20, 2014

I was on spring break with three of my children - their favorite city we visited was Savannah, GA. I do adore that city as well, but I fell in LOVE with St. Augustine, FL. Perhaps because it was my first time visiting this place, but the beach, the history, the architecture … I needed more than a day and a half. I will be back.

This is for Friday Flash 55 with the G-Man - he will play host only one more weekend after today. He has hosted for seven years and is passing the baton onto someone else whom he will reveal next week - but he promises to stick around and continue joining in the fun - so that makes me happy.

We all need more vacation time (and I'm not necessarily referring to the college age spring breakers ;) to reflect, relax, and reinvigorate. This is a photo of the last morning of my vacation on the beach of St. Augustine, FL.

This is for the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Personal Challenge. Marian Kent tapped me to do the impossible (for me). To write a poem evoking, sited in, or inspired by the bohemian New York City of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe (late '60s/early 70's) She gave me a lengthy list of possibilities … but the ending idea is probably what I grasped … "so long as what you write gets its inspiration here". I must say, the 70's nor NYC are my favorite topics and I never would have written about them if left on my own.

I have been on a blogger break (cleaning and purging stuff from closets, attic, etc) and have plans for this whole week which will keep me away, so I will be absent a bit longer. I miss my Toads and blogging buds - and will be back soon.

HERE is a fascinating blog all about NYC "chronicling an ever-changing city through faded and forgotten artifacts. ENJOY. Be sure to note the "categories" in the right hand margin.

"Museum of the City of New York" is an amazing sight of over 135,000 images and objects of NYC. Below is a partial image of Hell's Kitchen". I don't believe 1970. To get the full image, you must go to the link above.

Palm a poem as if fragile even if the words are bold. Let them sink into your skin as if moonlight, let them flow through your veins until they become ordinary - for only then will we know they nourished.

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Let Life Happen

"What should I say about your tendency to doubt your struggle or to harmonize your inner and outer life? My wish is ever strong that you find enough patience within you and enough simplicity to have faith. May you gain more and more trust in what is challenging, and confidence in the solitude you bear. Let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right in any case." (Rainer Maria Rilke) Furnborg, Jonsered, Sweden, November 4, 1904 Letters to a Young Poet